24/7 construction work on run to finish infras on time

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Director General Ernesto Pernia on Tuesday said that the agency, along with other related agencies are now putting 24/7 construction work in effect for government infrastructures.

Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary Mark Villar first announced the 24/7 construction work August last year, mainly on major projects in Metro Manila.

READ: Villar: 24/7 work for 4 DPWH projects

“We are trying to rush things out that is why we have this 24/7 work mode,” Pernia said in an interview with INQ&A.

He said that construction workers are working in three shifts — morning, mid-shift and night shift in order to finish the infrastructures on time.

“So that we can finish in a third of a time of what we take, three years for example instead of full six years,” he added.

He said that the agency is doing this not only in Metro Manila but also in other regions.

Pernia also revealed some of the big ticket infrastructures Filipinos can look forward to, including the improvement and expansion of 4 regional airports — Davao, Laguindingan in Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo and Bacolod.

“Pongola airport — which is being built from nothing, is scheduled to be done in first quarter of 2018… We are using 24/7 work load para matapos agad,” he added.

The 24/7 construction work will allow the agencies to monitor all the projects being built closely.